schubert



No. 610,284. Patented Sept. 6, I898.

H. SCHUBEBT.

STEP LADDER.

(Application filed Oct. 4, 1897.) (N 0 M o d e l 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

/NVE/V TOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 6, I898. H. SCHUBERT.

STEP LADDER.

(Application filed Oct. 4,1897. 7

2 Sheetsshram 2 (No Model.)

IN ENT 8 9% #1 Arron/Mm.

FFICE.

1 ATENT HERMANN SCHUBERT, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

. STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 610,284, datedSeptember 6, 1898.

Application filed Octeber 4, 1897. Serial No. 653,944. (No model.)

To on whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN SCHUBERT, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders, ofwhich the following is a full and complete specification, such as willenable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make andusethe same.

This invention relates to step-ladders, and more particularly to thatclass thereof which are especially designed to fold when not in use.

The object of the invention is to provide a step-ladder of theabove-described class which can be so folded when not in use as tooccupy little room and be readily handled and transported from place toplace.

A further object is to produce a stepladder which will be simple inconstruction, inexpensive to manufacture, and yet sufficiently strongand durable to insure efficiency in operation without derangement orundue wear of'any of its various parts.

My invention consists in the novel features of construction hereinafterset forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claimshereto appended.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improvedladder; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a front elevation whenthe ladder is folded, and Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional view on the line4 4 of Fig. 1.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the accompanying drawings the letter a denotes the frontstep-supporting standards, and b denotes the rear standards, which arejoined to said front standards by being pivoted between plates a a,.firmly attached to each of the same. The upper portions of thesestandards are relatively so shaped as to form abutting surfaces when theladder is unfolded.

Attached to the front standards are a plurality of steps (1 d d 01Inasmuch as these steps are similar in construction and are attached tosaid standards by the same means a description of one of these plateswill be sufficient. Each step is composed of two sections f f which'arepivoted together at a central point by means of plates g 9 arranged soas to beflush with the edges of each step, and which are provided withoverlapped extensions 9 g which, in conjunction with stop-pins h on eachplate, are adapted to give rigidity to the central portion of the stepwhen unfolded and ready for use.

Firmly attached tothe' step at each free end is a plate 70, which ispivoted to the standards a at a point thereof which will adunit of thefolding of the ladder. These plates is are also arranged so as to beflush with the edges of each step and have extensions which encompassthe edges of said step.

The plates 70 are preferably made with the arms attached to thestandards and to the steps, respectively, at approximately right anglesto facilitate the folding, as aforesaid.

m m denote, respectively, rods which are pivoted to each of the steps inorder to insure a unity of motion when the ladder is folded or extended.These rods also act as braces and help to retain the various partsfirmly in position.

'n n denote braces pivoted to the lower step and to links n M, which arepivoted to the standards a and when the ladder is unfolded firmlysecured in the relation shown in Fig. 1 by means of the sliding collars0 0 The rear'standards b are preferably braced near their lowerextremities by means of a folding brace 19 which is similar inconstruction to the plates d 61 as already described.

To lend additional rigidity to the erected structure, I provide sidebraces b pivoted at their central point, as in the ordinary step laddernow in general use.

The operation of erecting and folding my improved ladder is as follows:The ladder'as folded is in the position shown in Fig. 3, and when it isdesired to erect the same the standards are separated, thus extendingthe steps and the rear brace 1) until their extreme ends abut againstsaid standards, and the further downward movement of said steps isprevented by reason of the extensions 9 g thereon coming in contact withthe stop-pins, the configuration of the pivoted plates 70 readilyadmitting of this movement. The lower braces n a swing downwardly withsaid steps and come in alinement with said standards by reason of thelinks a n which, as aforesaid, are brought in this relation in order tofacilitate their being secured by means of the collars 0 0 which slideon these standards. The rods m m being pivotally connected to each ofthe steps make this portion of the unfolding process uniform and alsolends additional rigidity and strength to the front portion of theerected structure. When the steps and the rear brace have been broughtin their proper relation, the front and rear standards are separated atthe base until their upper adjoining surfaces abut and the side braces19 forced downwardly, as shown in Fig. 2, the plate a affording thismovement.

The operation of folding myimproved ladder is the reverse of the meansemployed in erecting.

All of the plates and an gle-irons herein referred to are preferablymade of malleable metal cast in one piece and of sufficient strength toinsure perfect security while the ladder is in use.

By the above-described means it will readily be observed that theobjects of my invention are fully attained. I have produced a ladderwhich is simple in construction, which can be folded into the minimum ofspace, capable of being handled without personal discomfort, and whichis durable, while being inexpensive to manufacture.

It is to be observed that it is not my intention to limit the scope ofmy invention to the precise construction herein shown and described, asit is obvious that there may be many changes in minor details ofconstruction without departing from the spirit of the same.

Having fully described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In astep-ladder, the combination with the standards, of a plurality ofsteps, each of said steps comprising two sections pivoted together andprovided at their outer edges with longitudinal extensions and stops andhaving end extensions by which the'sections are pivoted to saidstandards, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a step-ladder, the combination with the standards,of a pluralityof steps pivoted thereto, each of said steps comprising two sectionspivoted together and a rod pivoted to a section of each step at eachside of the step-ladder, substantially as set forth.

3. In a step-ladder, the combination with the standards, of a pluralityof steps, each of said steps comprising two sections, each pivoted atits outer end to a standard, and the inner ends of the sections beingpivoted together and provided with longitudinal extensions and stops,substantially as set forth.

4. In a step-ladder, the combination, with the standards, of a pluralityof steps pivoted thereto, each of said steps comprising two sectionspivoted together, braces comprising two links each pivoted to a standardand to one of said steps, and a collar, whereby when said ladder isunfolded said collar will encompass one of said links to insureadditional rigidity, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 28th day ofSeptember, 1897.

IIERMANN SCHUBERT.

Witnesses:

PAUL J ANERT, CHAS. J ANZ.

